iridiscente
/iɾidisˈθente/
The English phrase iridescent is translated into Spanish as iridiscente or irisado.
Meaning: producing lustrous colors (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| iridiscente | /iɾidisˈθente/ /iɾidiˈsente/ |
| irisado | /iɾiˈsado/ |
Which one should you use?
While both words carry the same meaning, iridiscente is the more technical or scientific term. In contrast, irisado is frequently used in more descriptive or literary contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in number with the noun it modifies. For example, the plural form is iridiscentes.
How do you pronounce it?
/iɾidisˈθente/
Did you know?
- The root of these words comes from the Greek goddess Iris, who was the messenger of the gods and the personification of the rainbow.
- In Spanish, the word iris refers to both the colorful part of the eye and the 'rainbow'.
- The word iridiscente is a loanword borrowed directly from the English 'iridescent'. This is relatively rare for descriptive adjectives in Spanish, which usually prefer Latin-based roots.
Examples in context
- La calavera que había en la estrecha hornacina arrojaba reflejos iridiscentes.The skull in the narrow niche cast iridescent reflections.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the form iridiscente to describe reflections.Tatoeba #10302506 by Seael, translation #13069435 by carlosalberto
- El aceite en el agua creaba un divertido efecto irisado.The oil in the water created a fascinating iridescent effect.
- Las plumas de este pájaro tienen un brillo cambiante de color.The feathers of this bird have a color-changing shimmer.
- Las burbujas de jabón tienen un brillo iridiscente.The soap bubbles have an iridescent shine.
- Me encanta el efecto iridiscente de esta tela.I love the iridescent effect of this fabric.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are looking at some jewelry.
- MaríaMira esta piedra, es iridiscente.Look at this stone, it is iridescent.
- DanielEs verdad, cambia de color con la luz.It's true, it changes color with the light.
- MaríaQuiero comprarla para un regalo.I want to buy it for a gift.
- DanielSeguro que le encantará, María.I'm sure she will love it, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “iridescent” translations and entries iridiscente, irisado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries iridiscente, irisado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
